Internationally renowned conservationist, Orri Vigfusson from Iceland, was on his way to Fermoy, with the organisers of Fermoy Salmon Festival having secured his services for a ‘salmon symposium’ in The Grand Hotel in May 1994. In ‘constant demand at international seminars and gourmet conferences’ worldwide, Mr Vigfusson was principal speaker at an event aimed at heightening awareness of the Munster Blackwater and its tributaries as a salmon, trout and course fishery, as well as a superb fishing holiday environment. Pat Gargan, Central Fisheries Board and Roderick O’Sullivan were also set to address the symposium, with tickets priced at £10.

The mother of all potholes came to the attention of our roving reporter, being christened ‘the legend’ and located some 2 miles north of Mitchelstown, close to the famous War of Independence monument at Glenacurrane. Our reporter coulourfully described, ‘this baby is a mega one, the stuff of which ballads and poems are made of, and even worse it lies unattended slap bang in the middle of the main Limerick bound road’. One local jokingly commented, “If the Tans (Black & Tans) were around these days there would be no need for the lads to fell trees for a roadblock, in fact they wouldn’t have to do anything at all. Armoured cars and all would disappear into it.” – enough said!

‘Stirring figures’ were produced by Dairygold at a press conference held in Cork City in March 1994. Chairman Denis Cronin pointed out that the society had a 12% increase in turnover, from £460m to £516.5m and had also produced a 10% increase in operating profits – all against a ‘backdrop of extremely aggressive product prices’. Other highlights included: payment for farm produce to Dairygold suppliers increased by £28.7m to £266.3m and the society continued its record on milk prices, which stood at 103p per gallon plus VAT – up 7p per gallon since 1992; Each of the Dairygold divisions had improved its record in the past 12 months – dairy product sales increased to £285.9m, agriculture and retail sales were up 10% to £128.8m and meat products were up an ‘astonishing’ 48%, to £101.74m. Overall, employment levels stood at 2,800. Mr Cronin concluded the meeting, stating that ‘we (Dairygold) can look forward in confident knowledge the future will be a time to grasp opportunities.’

The ‘best ever’ St Patrick’s Day parade was held in Mitchelstown, with 36 organisations parading through the main street, headed by grand marshal Jim Smith. The local Girl Guides secured a win in the category 1 parade competition, Forde’s Hardware claimed category 2, while the Community Playgroup won category 3. The Co-Op giftware department received 1st prize for their window presentation of Irish products, with Forde’s also taking 1st for best window display. Meanwhile, in Fermoy an estimated 4,000 spectators cheered on 27 floats and 25 participating groups, in a parade led by grand marshal Michael Barry. The Telecom Eireann float won the best overall award, while there were plenty ‘turtles’ to be seen around town, which ensured Fermoy Community Pre-School Playgroup won the ‘best educational group’ with their Teenage Ninja Mutant Turtles entry. Riordan’s SuperValu won best commercial/industry prize.

Members of Fermoy Urban District Council were preparing to picket Dail Eireann, as they had not heard any positive news from Minister for the Environment, Minister Smith regarding the sanctioning of funds ‘for even the most basic investigative tests for the much needed stage three water scheme’ project in the town. Cllr Tadhg O’Donovan, UDC vice chairperson, called for the picket at a monthly council meeting, saying that ‘the softly softly tactics of giving the minister time had proved to be a waste of time.’

In brief: 16 year old Diarmuid O’Brien, a student at Nagle Rice Secondary School, Doneraile put in a magnificent performance in the All-Ireland hunter trials in Punchestown, placing 4th out of a total of 285 entries. It was county glory for Galbally men’s badminton veterans, who secured silver in the Tipperary county badminton league; played in Cashel, they were unlucky to lose in the final to Templemore, a side they had defeated in a previous meeting – the ‘glory lads’ were: Fr Dick Browne, CC Lisvernane; Alan Doherty, Tom Henebry and Michael Russell (Ballylanders NS principal).

blog comments powered by Disqus